TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar suggested that the Hajj pilgrimage by sea could be affordable if multiple organizing operators participate. "If there are a lot of competitive [players], it could be cheap. But if there's only one player, it could be expensive," he said when met at the Ministry of Human Development and Culture office in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 10, 2025.
Nasaruddin noted that using ships for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages is not new. In the past, Indonesia had vessels, such as the Belle Abeto and Gunung Jati, that transported Indonesian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. "But it took three to four months. Now, perhaps the ships are faster, and there's also a sea route," he explained.
However, Nasaruddin confirmed that there have not been further discussions about implementing Hajj ships. He acknowledged that many companies have presented such plans to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, but they currently lack the necessary vessels, which would drive up costs.
"Perhaps in the future, it will be followed up by the private sector. Maybe there will be a special institution from the private sector that will facilitate them," he added.
The idea of organizing the Hajj pilgrimage via sea travel emerged after President Prabowo Subianto and Nasaruddin visited Saudi Arabia on July 2. Nasaruddin mentioned that the Ministry of Religious Affairs has begun communicating with Saudi authorities to realize the plan for sea-based Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
"We think that introducing Umrah and Hajj via sea travel in the future is highly prospective," Nasaruddin said in a written statement on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
The government believes that sea transportation can allow prospective Hajj pilgrims from Asian countries to access the Holy Land through ports such as Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. "Not only countries in the nearby region like Egypt, but even those from Indonesia and other parts of Asia can have access," he remarked.
Nasaruddin believed that opening Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages via sea travel would provide added value for Saudi Arabia. He argued that this approach is more open to various innovations and strategic investments. "Saudi Arabia's approach now is very business-oriented, with consultants from America. This really taps into Saudi Arabia's geographical potential," he concluded.
Dede Leni Mardianti contributed to the report
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